This land in Saugatuck is just some of the property preserved through money provided by the state Natural Resources Trust Fund. It is near land to be developed by Aubrey McClendon's Singapore Dunes LLC.File art | MLive.com

SAUGATUCK TOWNSHIP, MI -- In a sudden about-face, Singapore Dunes LLC asked that variances for a nine-story hotel, condos and golf course be tabled while the company works on a new residential submission to the Planning Commission.

The township Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday was ready to resume a public hearing on the Singapore Dunes variance request for the hotel and two adjoining four-story condominiums when company attorney James Bruinsma asked that it be tabled.

“The request was made to give us an opportunity to proceed with the Planning Commission on advancement of phase I of the residential development,” Bruinsma said.

After township attorney Ron Bultje noted the matter could be resumed at any time, the ZBA voted to table the variance requests.

Singapore has an alternate plan for 129 residential homes that does not include the hotel and condominium currently before the Commission.

The development company was seeking six variances to build a 25-suite, hotel and spa complex with a 90-foot high central tower and two adjoining condominium buildings.
Also being sought with the hotel are variances for a 66-slip marina for residents and nine-hole walking golf course.

The hotel proposal is one of two plans for the 310-acre parcel owned by Oklahoma businessman Aubrey McClendon.

Bruinsma said Singapore Dunes LLC will be presenting the Planning Commission with a new Phase 1 development plan that focuses on 25 residential homes on 2-acre and larger lots near the dunes overlooking Lake Michigan.

“The plan being submitted narrows the focus to the first phase of the project and the roads and utilities required to support it,” he said.

Bruinsma said the firm is not abandoning a 66-slip marina proposed for the project or other residential homes, which may be sought in a later phase.

What was expected to be a four-hour meeting was wrapped up in 40 minutes, leaving some of the 50 people in the audience scratching their heads.

“I’m not sure of what just happened, but please make sure this proceeds with transparency and honesty. These are dangerous times,” township resident Jane Dickie said.

The Singapore Dunes tabling of the variances was seen as a victory for the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance that had argued that the variance requests from the development company were really zoning changes that should be going to the Planning Commission.

“It’s clear a clear victory. It shows the requests by Singapore did not meet the standards for a variance. That’s why they want it tabled,” SDCA Executive Director David Swan said after the meeting.

The SDCA plans to continue to follow the new request to the Planning Committee when it is presented.

Planning Commission Chairwoman Margaret Conklin said when the new plan is submitted, the commission will schedule a public hearing, likely some time in December.